Type of ceremony - civil, symbolic or religious (I know symbolic and religious are kinda the same idea, but I think there is still a difference because symbolic is done by the wedding coordinator, whereas for a religious one you would get a minister or something like that to perform the ceremony)

I think I'm going to add a links section on the first page for a bunch of different links related to both the Mayan Riviera Area and to Dreams Tulum. So please send me any links you have.

I got this idea because I just came across this link on Elizabeth Medina's website (while looking for the link for dreamstulumbride's photos). This link is all the weddings that she has shot at Dreams Tulum. Two were just last month. (I couldn't help but notice that the set-up from the June 15th wedding looked similar to mine - the starfish on the chairs and similar flower arrangements on the aisle. Maybe somebody who was lurking on this forum!)

About a third of the way down the photos, I notice a pic of my newsletter! (which I shared with many of you on the old thread. See the "member contribution" section of this new thread for more info) The names and wedding date is on there and so it has to be Ellsbell who is a member of this forum. Hope she doesn't mind that i'm posting this link, but it's already posted on trip advisor anyways

Update Forgot to comment on the photos - Awesome! And what a beautiful bride. I LOVED her hair style!

First off...this new thread is absolutely amazing! You need to go into business seriously!!! I would be willing to pay a fee for access to your DT guide that you created for your friends and family if you are interested...it looks amazing!!!

Here is my info for my upcoming 2009 wedding at DT..please add my info to the list of future brides:

If anyone has booked and or stayed in the honeymoon suite for 7 days and 7 nites and received the "free" wedding package, but yet wanted all of the things included in the ultimate package...how did they expect you to pay for that? Itemized everything that wasn't in the free package, or give you the cashback towards your larger balance?

Has anyone had a wedding in october or vacationed in riviera maya during that time? What's the weather like, is it still hurricane season? I really want to have my wedding in october of 2009, but a little afraid of having really bad weather!!

my newsletter - you can access my newsletter for free, go to the member contributions section on page 1 (I think it's post #7) and there is a link for the website "4shared" which is a document sharing website and you can download it there. I couldn't put it as an attachment because the file is too big (due to all the photos). I wouldn't ask for payment. All I hope is that after everyone's turn has come that they come back here to post their review and pictures. Everyone loves reading reviews and seeing photos, but that stuff doesn't fall from the sky (and although it only takes a few people to stick around after their wedding and answer everyone else's questions, each person can only post 1 review and 1 set of pictures, that's where we really need lots of people to contribute) so in my opinion the least people can do if they really benefited from BDW is post a review and pictures to help others out (or at least reduce people's worries, because people always feel better after reading great reviews!)

wedding package - you won't get a credit even if you qualify for the free package. Almost everyone qualifies for it (note: it's either a honeymoon suite for a week OR 5 rooms any category for I think 3 or 4 days. Seeing as most people have more than 10 guests, i.e. 5 rooms, pretty much everyone qualifies for the free package). If you choose the more expensive price, you don't get anything free I know, it sucks and is kinda unfair. So just calculate the separate price of all the upgrades you want and if it comes up to more than the cost of the ultimate package, then just go for that one.

extra guests - I didn't have more guests than included in my package, but from reading the book (and from discussing with other brides) I think you are right about paying all those extra costs for guests over 20 people. Don't forget for the dinner one, the 65$ is for the gold menu. If you want to cut costs you could go with the regular restaurant menu and then you just pay 20$ per person above 20 (as a service charge for having a group).

Beverages - not sure, somebody else would be better to confirm

ERnurse:

Yes, October is hurricane season. Officially, hurricane season is from June 1 - December 1, although from what I know hurricanes in June, July and November are pretty rare, the peak months are August - October. You may want to consider delaying one month, it will make a big difference hurricane wise. That being said, it's not like there are major hurricanes hitting every week. Many people travel (and get married) during peak hurricane months. You'll have to decide if you want to risk it or not. I personally wouldn't, but that's just my personal opinion. Also keep in mind what your guests will think (if you really want lots of guests, you don't want to be upset because people don't come due to the risk of hurricanes)

Username: Niels408 Names (optional, first names only) -Laura & Josh Date & Time- Dec. 7th, 2008 4pm Number of guests-not sure-thinking 30 (thanks to economy now!) Coordinator: Been talking with Landy Ceremony location: Beach Reception location: El Patio or area around Activity pool Photographer: Pending Videographer: just going to use the resort one Review (link): N/A Photos (link): N/A Video (link): N/A Special arrangements / activities: We are buying a tour of Ruins for all the guests..we had set up a night at Mezzanine, but that's now pending due to issues down there, boys are going golfing in Playa Del Carmen, & ladies are enjoying a spa day! Ceremony: symbolic

Has anyone had a wedding in october or vacationed in riviera maya during that time? What's the weather like, is it still hurricane season? I really want to have my wedding in october of 2009, but a little afraid of having really bad weather!!

I originally had my date confirmed at DT for mid October. But the more we talked to travel agents and people in the know, we more we decided that we would rather be safe than sorry. So then we moved it to mid November (11/21)--this way we were out of hurricane season (we were told by November we were in the clear) but before high season when prices rocketed--which was key for us.